Corn feed use in Sep-Nov period as percent of feed estimate in Dec WASDE, change in total feed demand from Dec to Jan WASDE and change in production from Nov to Jan production report.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held another town-hall meeting Sunday at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting with outgoing AFBF Bob Stallman. Among the questions Vilsack was asked by a Texas cotton producer whether USDA would be able to provide some aid for cotton producers.
When Virginia Tech Economist (Emeritus) Dave Kohl speaks to farm audiences these days, he paces the stage like a nervous coach shouting plays before the clock runs out. His advice to attendees of Texas A&M's elite TEPAP program this week in Austin was to get 2016 finances in order.
Cotton growers will get access to Enlist cotton in 2016. The new trait is genetically engineered to tolerate applications of special 2,4-D formulations.
Brazil's Ag Ministry maintained its 2015-16 soybean view at above 102 MMT despite dryness concerns in Mato Grosso, bucking the recent trend for reducing estimates among analysts.
1/12 2:09PM Grains closed higher Tuesday after USDA's reports gave a little encouragement to all three. Overall numbers were still neutral-to-bearish for corn and bearish for wheat, but not as bearish as feared while USDA's adjustments for soybeans were bullish.
Fri Jan 8, 2016 09:02 AM CST The unusual December rains that caused record flooding in Missouri and Illinois last week may have soaked some winter wheat fields, and growers should be on the lookout for damage in the coming months.
Tue Jan 5, 2016 07:18 AM CST The first generic Roundup Ready 1 varieties flew off dealers' shelves in 2015 and performed well; sales are expected to grow in 2016.
Livestock
Mike Mutch (right) uses gender-sorted semen to help him produce a higher percentage of females in his North Carolina Angus herd. Veterinarian Richard Kirkman artificially inseminates Mutch's herd. (DTN/Progressive Farmer image by Boyd Kidwell)
Ways AI PaysHigh Dollar Bulls Build Better Heifers1/11 12:43PM Gender-sorted semen helps produce higher percentages of female offspring. It can also work for a higher percentage of males -- in the case of a producer looking to produce bulls or more steers for the feedlot, for instance.
Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:54 PM CST Beef cattle producers and dairies in the High Plains of western Texas and eastern New Mexico are still searching for missing cattle with losses increasing daily.
Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:58 PM CST I noticed the hair along the cows' backs had a reddish brown tint. I was told this could be a lack of copper. I now use minerals periodically. What caused this?
Land Management
Forty years of December corn prices show many times when profits were hard to come by for producers renting ground. Given the difficult odds faced, young farmers especially need to think carefully about how to survive tough market environments (Source: DTN, based on USDA commodity cost data).
Todd's TakeOdds-On Farming12/15 10:07AM Risk management begins with understanding how costs affect the odds of your success.
Wed Jan 6, 2016 06:27 AM CST Crazy $400-per-acre rents are dead. But average $250-$350 Midwest cash rents remain slow to adjust to new price realities. That could leave more operators scrambling for breakeven in 2016.
Mon Dec 21, 2015 10:55 AM CST An unusually timed band of wet weather soaked much of Iowa for three days and put fields at risk for soil, nutrient and fertilizer loss.
Mon Jan 11, 2016 09:51 AM CST A new USDA survey from 2010 and 2011 shows no-till/strip-till was used on 39% of combined corn, soybean, wheat and cotton acreage in the United States.
Farm Business
Illinois farmer Steve Hess, daughter Alison and wife Phyllis will spend close to $30,000 a year for health insurance, not counting the family's deductibles. (Photo courtesy of Anne Rauschert)
Farmers Squeezed by Health CostsFarm Families Face Smaller Incomes While Health Insurance Premiums Grow12/24 7:07AM Many Midwest farm families already spend more than 15% of their family living costs on health care. For rural residents, inadequate provider networks may discourage their use of the government's Marketplace coverage.
Tue Jan 5, 2016 02:56 PM CST A recent IRS notice raised the threshold on what constitutes minor expenditures that can be expensed. For 2016, many farmers can now take advantage of the new $2,500 limit on repairs.
Tue Dec 15, 2015 01:05 PM CST AGCO introduces an improved corn head, baler and windrower.
Ag Policy
At the Farm Bureau's annual meeting, John Duarte showed in his presentation an example of a typical vernal pool wetland that Army Corps of Engineers and EPA say is being destroyed. (John Duarte photo by Chris Clayton; vernal pool photo courtesy of John Duarte.)
Farming Under Regulatory FearCalifornia Farmer's Battle Spotlights Growing Fear of Government Overreach1/11 2:32PM AFBF members heard at their annual meeting about a California farmer's legal fight against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It was presented as an example of why farmers can't take EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers at their word when the agencies declare farmer protections in the Clean Water Act are still there and still in place.
Sun Jan 10, 2016 05:38 PM CST Farm Bureau delegates will vote Tuesday on a new president for the organization. Outgoing President Bob Stallman sought to set the stage for the next AFBF president by stressing free-market principles and the importance of farmer engagement to resist bureaucratic intrusion.
Thu Jan 7, 2016 06:30 AM CST Despite lower commodity prices plaguing the industry, Farm Bureau candidates say regulatory issues dominate their discussions with state boards of directors and members. Still, each leader also has other areas they would like to emphasize as president.
Tue Jan 12, 2016 04:49 PM CST Georgia farmer Zippy Duvall replaces Texas farmer and rancher Bob Stallman as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Stallman held the position for the past 16 years.
Farm Life
Effective listening often gets short changed among business partners who grew up together. (DTN/Progressive Farmer photo by Thinkstock/iStock)
Woodbury: Family Business MattersCan You Hear Me Now?1/11 9:44AM There are three levels of listening to better connect and communicate with family business partners. As Peter Drucker says, "The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said."
Mon Jan 11, 2016 10:06 AM CST A recent IRS notice raised the threshold on what constitutes minor expenditures that can be expensed. For 2016, many farmers can now take advantage of the new $2,500 limit on repairs.
Mon Jan 11, 2016 01:07 PM CST The United States biodiesel industry is expecting many idled plants to restart production and others to expand operations in a more favorable policy environment.
Mon Jan 11, 2016 09:34 AM CST Farm Bureau delegates will vote Tuesday on a new president for the organization. Outgoing President Bob Stallman sought to set the stage for the next AFBF president by stressing free-market principles and the importance of farmer engagement to resist bureaucratic intrusion.
Featured Column
Gulke: Pre-NASS USDA Report1/11 11:04AM The views expressed are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of DTN, its management or employees.
Keep anaplasmosis levels down by controlling biting flies and ticks, and using clean needles and equipment. (DTN/Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)
Ask the VetAnswers for Anaplasmosis1/4 12:56PM The vet says my cow died from anaplaz. I have no idea what that is.
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2016 Cash Rents Steady to 10% Lower
